US Power/Heavy Metal band Adamantis really hit the ground running with their full length debut album (released by Cruz Del Sur last year) and with every intention of striking while the iron’s hot, they’ve released a new 4 track EP already. However, with a running time only just short of half an hour, this is clearly not a batch of left-over tracks from that album, which the slightly more varied, exploratory nature of the songs display. The first of the four tracks continues nicely from where the album left off, a catchy Metal track that mixes Hammerfall-esque Power Metal with plenty of air-punching NWOBHM which is no doubt already a live favourite. Next up is ‘Dark Moon Goddess’, a groovier, darker prospect embracing touches of latter-day Iron Maiden with progressive and folk touches and even a hint of retro rockers Nocturnalia, all of which makes the track diverse and very enjoyable.
Track 3, ‘Thundermark’ is a song from their 2018 EP which has had a musical spruce up and vocal overhaul, giving powerhouse Jeff Stark the opportunity to sprinkle a good dose of Dickinson-esque magic throughout this solid Power Metal anthem. The showcase track, and probably the main reason for the EP is the epic 12 minute-plus title track, which is based around Ye Olde English Ballad ‘House Carpenter’. Resplendent with guest female vocals, it is understandably melodically rooted in traditional folk, yet maintains a NWOBHM standpoint within a Power Metal attitude alongside a hint of Elvenking and Falconer. With layered guitars, orchestration and choirs the band really push the boat out – literally lyrically too as the heroine of the tale takes to the seas to escape an oppressive home life and eventually become one of the devil’s powerful daemons, the aforementioned Dark Moon Goddess. From what I can gather, it’s the old story of girl meets devil, devil seduces girl, girl joins devil, girl becomes immortal goddess. You see it every other week on Coronation Street…
Adamantis are really showing their hand with this EP, tantalising the listener with differing directions the band could head off in. The really intriguing thing for me about this release is the thought of a whole album with this kind of diversity, variation, experimentation and execution. Adamantis aren’t willing to be just another US Power Metal band, they are stepping up and announcing themselves to be something more, something fresher and more exciting. Even the band’s laid back image has had a reboot! I’m very much looking forward to the next album, which will also include a new guitarist who may bring even more influences into the fold. Tantalising indeed.
(8.5/10 Andy Barker)
Leave a Reply